Module Identifier EC36520  
Module Title REGIONAL ECONOMIES  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Professor Peter Midmore  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture   16 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   4 Hours  
Assessment Essay   2000 words   40%  
  Exam   2 Hours   60%  

Brief description


The sub-discipline of regional economics deals with dissimilar economic performances across space. In trying to understand this, several theoretical perspectives may be drawn upon, and used to justify policies. Both theory and policy are covered in this module, which is split between formal lectures and seminars in which students discuss essays submitted as coursework. Lectures cover a general introduction to the regional policy problem and the calculation of regional GDP; regional economic theory, including econometric models and regional input-output analysis; a brief review of regional policy in Britain, Europe, the USA, and also low income countries. The module concludes by examining new perspectives in regional economics.

Aims


Regional economics is a distinct sub-discipline which draws on economic theory in an attempt to explain divergent economic performance across space. The module aims to provide a comprehensive survey of regional economic theory and policy, incorporating the most recent new perspectives and drawing on a range of case-study examples.

Learning outcomes


On completion of the module, students should:


1. Understand the main methods of regional income accounting, including inter-industry flow matrices;
2. Be able to identify and manipulate the principal models of regional economic development;
3. Relate the process of globalisation to contemporary regional economic systems;
4. Compare and evaluate European regional development policies and also selected examples from poorer countries;
5. Be able to identify the main themes in the development of regional economics.

Reading Lists

Books
H Armstrong and J Taylor. (2000) Regional economics and policy. 3rd edition. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers
M Temple. (1994) Regional economics. Basingstock: Macmillan Press
M Storper. (1997) The regional world: territorial development in a global economy. New York; London: Guilford Press
A J Scott. (1998) Regions and the world economy: the coming shape of global production, competition and political order. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press